Graston Technique is a soft tisue technique that uses specifically designed metal instruments to address tissue adhesions and scars that lead to chronic pain and restriction. The therapist uses the instruments to comb and scrape over the affected tissue, which feels gritty and rough. These techniques can be done on stationary or moving tissue. An emollient is used to allow the instruments to glide. These instruments can go much deeper than any cross friction done with a therapist's hands. After the scar tissue is treated, the body can reabsorb the dysfunctional tissue and renew it.
Graston Technique has been proven to achieve excellent outcomes in treating these conditions:
- Achilles Tendinitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cervical Sprain/Strain (Neck Pain)
- Fibromyalgia
- Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
- Lumbar Sprain/Strain (Back Pain)
- Patellofemoral Disorders (Knee Pain)
- Plantar Fasciitis (Foot Pain)
- Rotator Cuff Tendinitis (Shoulder Pain)
- Scar Tissue
- Shin Splints
- Trigger Finger
- Women's Health (Post-Mastectomy and Caesarean Scarring)
We have had incredible success using these techniques. Patients with chronic pain whom normal PT methods fail find relief with Graston. We have had the pleasure of helping people who have had chronic pain for many years get over their restrictions—the work goes much deeper than the hands can, thus it’s ability to break up scar tissue has been remarkable. Because it is deeper, more can be done in less amount of time, hopefully resulting in speedy improvements.
Cindy has gone through the full training for the Graston Technique, and is currently one of a very small number of health care providers to offer this service in Pittsburgh. She follows this deep treatment with relaxing lymphatic drainage to aid the tissue to recuperate after being broken up.
Hear is a testimonial of one of our patients:
This all began in 1995 while playing softball with a group of friends, in between tournament games we were throwing a football around. I went out on a post-pattern, running at full speed, and at the moment where the ball comes down into your hands, I stepped into a woodchuck hole .I dropped the ball and reached for my right ankle. The pain was intense. The doctor at the hospital said that I had the worst sprain he’d seen in the recent past.
Since then, I’ve had numbness, tingling, and tightness in my right foot and ankle (mainly at night). I learned about the Graston Technique and decided to give it a try. The results are a small miracle. My foot has been reborn. The relief, looseness, and disappearance of almost all the numbness have pleasantly surprised me. I only wish I had inquired 10 years ago.
-Joel Williams, 1/9/12
You can learn more about Graston Technique by clicking here.